ANNE JOROWSKI

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ANNE JOROWSKI After a long and rewarding life, Anne Jorowski passed away in peace January 8, 2016 at the age of 97. Predeceased by her husband Joseph in 2008, left to honour her memory are her children, Jo-anne and husband Mansueto, Paul and wife Chris, and daughter Jay, grandchildren David, Kevin and Wendy, sisters Mary, Stefie and Helen, brother Mike, and great-grandson Aaron. She was predeceased by her older brothers Johnny and Eddie, and younger sister Sophie. Her passing will be mourned by the countless friends, neighbours, relatives and colleagues touched by her generous spirit. Anne was born November 1, 1918 in Telford, Manitoba and moved to Winnipeg after her mother died when Anne was only 14. While living in the North End, she met the love of her life, Joe, and they married in 1942. She followed her husband to his military training in British Columbia. Anne lived and worked in Victoria while Joe travelled back and forth to her from his bases in Nanaimo and Vernon. The couple returned to Winnipeg after the war, buying their first home in St. Boniface where their daughter Jo-anne and son Paul were born. Many life-long friendships were forged in the well-woven community on St. Catherine's Street. In the mid 1950s, the family moved to East Kildonan where daughter Cathy (later known as Jay) was born. There Anne continued to grow the vibrant community spirit that became a hallmark of her life. Anne approached everything she did with impressive enthusiasm and creative talent. A devoted wife and mother, she was also a gifted seamstress who loved designing and sewing clothes. She was still making beautiful clothes for herself and others well into her 80s! Her extensive wardrobe, especially the centennial ball gown collection she designed and created for the Manitoba and Winnipeg centennial celebrations in 1970 and 1974 was a source of great pride for her. Her love of gardening was a guiding light throughout Anne's life. Known to many as "the flower lady", she created and maintained an award-winning garden and was an acclaimed competitive floral arranger. She look great pleasure in regularly making flower arrangements for the local library, firehall, police station and elderly shut-ins, impelled to share the abundant beauty of her garden with others. She was instrumental in forming the East Kildonan Horticultural Society, which later dedicated a garden to her in Fraser's Grove Park. She made it a personal mission to foster the education of young gardeners, and annually helped organize groups of school children to plant flower beds in local parks, personal care homes and Concordia Hospital. Anne extended the reach of her social activism when she was elected City Councillor in 1974. She was a dedicated advocate for East Kildonan constituents for 15 years, working tirelessly to better and brighten the community. She was proud to serve as deputy mayor and relished the travel the role entailed, including trips to China, The Netherlands and Finland. As the city's representative, she also met the Queen and was official host to an ambassador from Holland. In her inimitable way, Anne became fast and enduring friends with countless colleagues and officials she met throughout her political career. Her charming nature, leadership and organizational skills were only surpassed by her grounded practicality and perpetual willingness to roll up her sleeves and work hard for a worthy goal. It was never wise to tell Anne she couldn't do something - she would make a personal mission of proving you wrong in no time flat! Anne was also a strong supporter of Concordia Hospital, helping to establish the Concordia Hospital Auxiliary, and served on its board of directors for many years. The community will remember her annual fundraiser at local grocery stores, where many delighted in buying spring's first bouquets from "the pussy willow lady". Anne's winter nickname was "the doll lady", earned through the founding of the charitable organization Share Christmas. The program began in 1970 as a Manitoba Centennial project to gather new and used toys to send to children on northern reserves. It was so successful that Anne chose to continue the endeavour, firm in the belief that no child should be without the gift of a toy (especially a stuffed animal or doll to hug) at Christmas. For over 30 years, Anne was the 'general' in charge of a small army of volunteers of all ages, who worked to gather, clean and repair used toys, and to knit tens of thousands of hats, scarves and mitts for kids in the inner city. For her efforts, she was recognized with the YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 1996. In 2002 she received the Golden Jubilee Award and a community service award from Good Neighbours Senior Centre. She was also honoured for outstanding community service by Concordia Hospital in 1994. Anne believed in the goodness of humanity and the value of volunteerism, and was generous with her praise for others. The strength of her convictions and character enriched the lives of those in her community and beautified the ground on which they walked. Her infectious enthusiasm and tireless creative efforts were inspiring. An excellent leader and role model, Anne loved to motivate children through her projects, thrilled to imagine their enthusiasm ensuring the future of dedicated community everywhere. Her twinkling blue eyes, radiant smile and regal air, but most of all her beautiful spirit, is warmly remembered by those who had the privilege to know and love her. She was a marvelous force of nature and indeed "a lady" to the very end. Anne's family expresses their deep gratitude to the skilled and caring staff of CD4 at Riverview Health Centre. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church, 341 Munroe Avenue, with interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. If desired, donations may be made in Anne's memory to any of the following organizations: Riverview Health Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4, www.rhcf.mb.ca Rossbrook House, 658 Ross Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M1, www.rossbrookhouse.ca Parkinson Society Manitoba, 7-414 Westmount Dr., Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2, www.parkinson.ca
Publish Date: Jan 12, 2016

ANNE JOROWSKI After a long and rewarding life, Anne Jorowski passed away in peace January 8, 2016 at the age of 97. Predeceased by her husband Joseph in 2008, left to honour her memory are her children, Joanne and husband Mansueto, Paul and wife Chris, and daughter Jay, grandchildren David, Kevin and Wendy, sisters Mary, Stefie and Helen, and brother Mike, and great-grandson Aaron. She was predeceased by her older brothers Johnny and Eddie and younger sister Sophie. Full obituary with service details to follow.
Publish Date: Jan 9, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2016